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F&G Director Declares Idaho wolf management a
success |
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January 27, 2016 |
By Virgil Moore
Director, Idaho Fish and Game
When Idaho Fish and Game took over wolf
management in 2011, the wolf population had
grown unchecked for more than a decade after
reaching federal recovery levels of 10 breeding
pairs and 100 wolves eleven years earlier. This
was due to repeated lawsuits that stalled
delisting and delayed transfer of wolves to
state management.
As a result, wolf conflicts with livestock and
elk populations were rampant in most parts of
Idaho north of the Snake River and livestock
producers and hunters grew increasingly
frustrated.
After five years of state management of wolves
in Idaho, we're seeing positive results:
In 2010, the year before wolves were delisted,
there were 109 confirmed wolf depredations on
livestock in Idaho. Now livestock depredations
by wolves are down by almost 50 percent (59 in
2015).
The most recent livestock attack by wolves
occurred last October. We haven't had a
depredation-free stretch last this long since
2004.
I'm also pleased to report Idaho's elk herds are
rebounding too, but there are still some places
in Idaho where predation impacts are
unacceptable. Conflicts are decreasing because
regulated wolf hunting and trapping seasons are
helping us balance predator and prey
populations.
As I write this, Fish and Game scientists are
conducting the latest wolf population surveys.
While these are not yet complete, it's obvious
we far exceed federal recovery levels of 100
wolves and 10 breeding pairs, and have met these
levels for at least 16 years in a row.
The bottom line is Idaho has a healthy,
sustainable wolf population that is over seven
times higher than the federal recovery goal.
Idaho Fish and Game has proven we can
responsibly manage wolves, provide regulated
hunting and trapping opportunity, and reduce
conflict. That is good both for the people of
Idaho and our wildlife, including wolves.
In a few short months, the federal 5-year
post-delisting oversight window will close and
Idaho will continue to sustainably manage its
wolves.
A few advocacy groups are determined to keep
federal oversight in place and their lawyers are
already publishing articles making all sorts of
claims that simply aren't true. Professional
wildlife scientists at Idaho Fish and Game
monitor Idaho's wolf population and all our
monitoring reports are available on our website.
The 2015 report will be available in early
April.
We at Fish and Game are proud of our
demonstrated ability to scientifically manage
wolves and elk. We will continue to do so in a
manner that upholds our mission to preserve,
protect, perpetuate and manage our wildlife. |
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